Reviews

Thaïs

Music by Jules Massenet. Libretto by Louis Gallet after Anatole. Opera Australia. Sydney Town Hall. July 22 & 24, 2017

This is the opera you have probably never heard of, but is instantly recognisable once the lead violinist stands for the glorious and sumptuous meditation which ends the second act. 

I have to admit to being quite emotional when this tune filled the Sydney Town Hall, as not only was the lead violinist Jung Yi Ma sublime, but it was a favourite of my late father who enjoyed playing it on his own violin.

The Merchant of Venice

By William Shakespeare. Bell Shakespeare. Directed by Anne-Louise Sarks. Dramaturgy by Benedict Hardie. Arts Centre Melbourne, Fairfax Studio. July 19 – 30, 2017

Anne-Louise Sarks gives us a powerful and disturbing interpretation of Shakespeare’s play.  It has energy, clarity and a finely judged juxtaposition of the bright and the dark.

The Women of Lockerbie

By Deborah Brevoort. Castle Hill Players. The Pavilion Theatre. July 21 – August 12, 2017.

Is it possible that we may, some day, come to take acts of terrorism as facts of life?

Will they simply become another chapter in a history book?

Will we forget those whose lives were lost, or how horribly they died?

Not if theatre sustains its centuries old objective of finding a way to reflect on and interpret the world on the stage.

Coma Land

Written and directed by Will O’Mahony. Black Swan State Theatre Company and Performing Lines WA. Studio Underground, State Theatre Centre of Western Australia, Perth. July 20- Aug 6, 2017

This co-production, between Black Swan State Theatre Company and Performing Lines WA, brings this new play written and directed by Will O'Mahony, to life, in an endearing and intriguing production.

Boon, an eleven-year-old genius, finds herself trapped in a strange world between life and death, where she meets other people who are also in comas. Beautiful, surreal and allegorical, this is a sweetly told story that hooks its audience.

The Bodyguard

Based on the Warner Bros. film by Lawrence Kasdan. Book: Alexander Dinelaris. John Frost, Michael Harrison & David Ian Production. Director: Thea Sharrock. Musical Director: David Skelton. Choreographer: Karen Bruce. Lyric Theatre, QPAC. From 22 July 2017

When I first saw The Bodyguard in London I thought it was a show that would work in Australia provided they cast a performer who could sing the Whitney Houston songbook and sing it well. Is Paulini up to the task? She certainly is. When she’s belting out those pop-diva arias she’s the real deal, delivering powerhouse after powerhouse performance and pulling the maximum emotional weight out of every key-change. “I Will Always Love You” was simply goose-bump thrilling.

Morning Masterworks: Queensland Symphony Orchestra

Simone Young & Ray Chen. Paganini: Violin Concerto No.1, Mvt 1. Holtz: The Planets. Concert Hall, QPAC. 21 July 2017

Musical wunderkind Ray Chen displayed stunning violin mastery when he returned to Brisbane yesterday to appear with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra in their Morning Masterworks series. Playing the first movement of Paganini’s notoriously difficult Violin Concerto No. 1, Chen’s bravura performance (on his 1715 Stradivarius worth a cool 10 million) was simply astonishing.

An Inspector Calls

By J. B. Priestly. Pymble Players, NSW. 19 July- 12 August, 2017

J. B. Priestly’s play, written in the mid 20th century but set in 1912, has been described as “a potent blend of fine dramatic craft and good old-fashioned social conscience” and Helen Williams’ production for Pymble Players emphasises both qualities of the play. Though set in England over a century ago, the play has resounding messages that are still relevant today.

Love You Hate You Drive You Wild

An original comedy by Bianca Butler Reynolds. Directed by Kat Dekker. Developed with support from Playlab. Sue Benner Theatre, Metro Arts, 20 July - 23 July, 2017.

Imagine your picture was used as the subject of a meme and it ruined your life. That’s the amusing premise behind Love You Hate You Drive You Wild. The story is a black comedy that deals with themes of mental illness, sexuality, friendship and bravery. Who knew a play that explores ideas such as depression and suicidal thoughts could be so uplifting? Yet there is a beautiful sense of love and hope at the heart of this play.

Under the Covers

By Matthew Mitcham and Nigel Turner-Carroll. Directed by Nigel Turner-Carroll. Hayes Theatre, Sydney. 19 - 23 July, 2017

Olympic gold medallist Matthew Mitcham doesn’t mind telling people his problems. This is the champion diver’s second autobiographical cabaret, where he talks and sings about his struggles, admitting to depression, past drug addiction and plenty of bad decisions. He’s written a book about himself too.

The Imperial Bells Of China: Chimes In Concert

Hubei Opera Company. Producers Hubei Provincial Performing Arts Group. Ausfeng Event Productions. Conductor Zhou Wen. Concertmaster Hu Jian. Melbourne Recital Centre 20 July 2017; Sydney Opera House, 23 July.

When a collection of bronze and stone bells and chimes were unearthed at the tomb of Marquis Yi of Zeng’s tomb in Sui County, Hubei Province in China in 1978, the most celebrated discovery was the bianzhong, possibly the oldest functioning twelve-tone instrument in existence.

The ‘Chimes In Concert’ program is a study in uncommonly heard timbres including the bianzhong. The program features a range of traditional instruments, such as se, chi, drum and banjo, as well as vocalists, bamboo flute and several pieces featuring the highly prized chimes.

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